Education experimenters press forward as states opt for federal school choice
Reported byJust The News
AI-assisted summary
A Just The News report, drawing on The Center Square, looks at how school choice is growing in Philadelphia and nationally. It says only three in 10 students in the School District of Philadelphia are proficient in math and reading, that district enrollment has dropped 13% over a decade, and that it could fall another 10% by 2035. Alternatives such as charter and private options have grown 191%, per the article. Public education advocates cited in the piece say neighborhood schools suffered because state funding fell behind actual costs.
The article also describes the Yass Prize, a contest backed by philanthropists who support school choice. It says $6 million was awarded this month, and that since 2021, 285 schools have received a combined $84 million. Separately, it covers a federal tax credit program that lets individuals and married couples give up to $3,400 to scholarship organizations. According to the article, 31 states have opted in, and federal officials project about $26 billion in yearly contributions by 2030.
Pennsylvania's governor has not yet joined, though he said he had not ruled it out and would announce a decision soon. New York's governor approved participation. A scholarship group leader argues that non-participating states may see donations benefit students elsewhere, and a Democratic education reform leader urges his party to refocus on K-12.
Why it matters
States are deciding whether to join a federal scholarship tax credit program while districts like Philadelphia face falling enrollment and low proficiency. The choices could affect where donations go, how families find schools, and how districts plan around changing enrollment.
- School choice
- Federal education policy
- Enrollment decline
- Charter school funding
- Test scores
Written with AI from the publisher's article and may contain errors. The original reporting is the authoritative source.
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- How should a state weigh the possible benefits and drawbacks of joining a federal scholarship tax credit program?
- What can districts do to respond to falling enrollment while also addressing building conditions and student proficiency?
- What information would help families compare district, charter and private options fairly?
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